New Administrator Coming to Wyoming Life Resource Center

4/15/2015

Allen Parks is joining the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) in Lander as the new administrator for the Wyoming Life Resource Center (WLRC).

“We could not be more pleased to have Allen joining our leadership team in Lander,” said Chris Newman, senior administrator of the WDH Behavioral Health Division. “His depth of experience will be truly valuable as we work toward moving this critical facility forward to meet future needs.”

Parks has more than 25 years of wide-ranging professional experience in the mental health, disabilities and human services fields. His most recent position was chief operating officer of Dorothea Dix State Psychiatric Hospital in Bangor, Maine. He has also served as the administrator of mental health and developmental disabilities for the Iowa State Department of Human Services and as the human services director for Brown County, Wisconsin.

Parks received his undergraduate degree in psychology and counseling from Calvin College, Ph.D. in psychology from Boston College and master’s degree in public health from Harvard University.

Bill Sexton, WDH Behavioral Health Division facilities administrator, said Parks will replace Mike Aurand, who has served as interim superintendent since December 2014. “We offer our sincere thanks to Mike for filling in for us during this time of transition.” Aurand will return to his role as Visions Program coordinator at WLRC.

WLRC is a 142-bed licensed and certified intermediate care facility for adults with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries, and is one of five state healthcare facilities operated by WDH. WLRC is part of the WDH Behavioral Health Division, which also includes Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, as well as Developmental Disabilities Community Programs.